Armory Pharmaceutical, Inc. (“API”) was established in late 2018 by medical research scientists to participate in the 2020 West Virginia cannabis program. API leased the 27,000 square-foot former National Guard Armory building in Buckhannon, WV. API then partnered with successful marijuana grow/process/dispensary owner-operators in Washington D.C. and Louisiana, along with a licensed WV hemp processor. This team, designed to be a vertically integrated medical cannabis biopharmaceutical company, submitted applications for WV grower, process, and dispensary licenses. To date, API was one of ten companies awarded a grow license, and has also been awarded both processing and dispensing licenses.
Armory Pharmaceudical Inc. exists to:
“Create botanically based, globally available medicines that provide health care options which change people’s lives for the better.”
API is a different kind of medical cannabis company. The team includes two experienced and successful marijuana grow/process/dispensary persons, seven PhD scientists, one MD, three MBA’s, along with a hemp farmer, mechanical engineer, and two attorneys. It is highly experienced and a well-rounded business team.
Meet the Team
Berisford, Brent M.S. - WV native, graduated from WV Wesleyan with a B.S. and M.S. in environmental science; built, managed, and recruited for the John's Hopkins Innovation Center in Rockville, MD and the Upshur County Innovation Center in Buckhannon, WV.
Besche, Mike - CEO; graduated from Wharton School of Business with a B.S. in economics; over forty years of business management skills, having built multiple companies employing over 1,000 people; serves on multiple financial and civic boards.
Kamendi, Harriett Ph.D. - R&D of CBD+THC; graduated from Howard University with a B.S. in education, chemistry, biology, and physics, with a Ph.D. in pharmacology and toxicology; extensive clinical trial experience; currently developing cannabis prescription drug alternatives to opioids; author of 100+ neurophysiology articles and papers.
Kennedy, Kathleen Ph.D. - Genetics, clinical trials; B.S. in biology with a Ph.D. in genetics from Penn State University College of Medicine; Director of Life Sciences Institute at the University of Maryland BioPark with 40+ years experience as a professor and biotechnology jobs development training; aims to develop B.S., M.S., Ph.D. cannabis programs for local WV schools.
Lawson-Baker, Matt - Team Leader, DC grower; B.S. in civil engineering from Queensland University of Technology; 7+ years of successful medical marijuana cultivation and processing in Washington D.C.; built cannabis company employing over 20 people and manages day-to-day operations; designed and building 27,000SF Armory building in Buckhannon, WV.
Macias-Bobo, Chanda Ph.D. - MSO (LA & DC); B.S. in biology, M.S. in business administration with a Ph.D. in cellular biology from Howard University; multi-state medical marijuana grow, process, and dispensary license holder in DC and LA; successful scientist, businesswoman, team-leader and company builder; 20+ years experience in academia, government, industry, and technology.
Oldaker, Mike - WV resident, grow operations; B.S. with a M.S. from West Virginia University; 3+ year advocate for industrial hemp in WV; grower of industrial hemp from seed to harvest; organizational and operational manager of project assigned tasks, roles, and responsibilities.
Petraits, Vidmantas MD - Team Leader Clinical Trials; B.S. with a Ph.D. in Medicine from Lithuanian University of Health Sciences; medical doctor and drug development research scientist at Cornell Medical in NYC; extensive global pharmacokinetic protocol design, study, and analytics; national and international medical drug development experience.
Powers, Daniel MBA - Operations; B.S. and MBA in business administration from Shenandoah University; detail for financial operations; create and manage small operational teams; assist in training and living-wage jobs creation programs.
Powers, John Ph.D./MBA - WV Hemp license, Pres.; B.S, MBA with a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland Graduate School of Medicine; science and management professional with laboratory, clinical trial, and R&D experience; 30+ years of small company start-up, growth, and successful merger and acquisitions.
Priddy, Meredith - Sales & Marketing; B.S. in English and business writing from Towson University; Chief Marketing Officer with 5+ years experience in the cannabis industry; proven history of sales growth and expansion within all business sectors; extensive knowledge of branding, online marketing, and customer relations.
Queen, Jason - WV resident, hemp processor; degree in criminal justice from Glennville State College; built, owns, and manages hemp processing facility in Buckhannon, WV; owns security company with extensive law enforcement experience.
Roemer, Hartman JD - Company General Counsel; B.S. and law degree from the University of Delaware School of Law; admitted in MD, former Assistant Attorney General; 30+ years of legal experience in small company development, and corporate tax knowledge.
Sheehan, Sam MME - Engineering, HVAC specialist; B.S. in mechanical engineering from University of Maryland College Park; professional engineer, certified to design, build, and install specialty HVAC systems; experienced in designing HVAC systems for use in similar operations for cannabis grow and processing.
Wyatt, Brandon JD - Veteran’s Rights, MJ activist; B.A. in political science, M.S. in business administration with a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law; U.S. Army veteran, attorney, veterans' rights activist, including cannabis treatment for PTSD; experienced in drug policy, federal policies, civil rights, and intellectual properties.